Bursaries for military veterans

About 9 000 military veterans and their dependents will this year be furthering their education – thanks to bursaries from the Department of Military Veterans (DMV).

Of the 9 000 beneficiaries, 5 000 continuing students while the rest, constitute new beneficiaries.

“Provision of quality education to military veterans and dependents continues to be a priority in the department. Education is a constitutional right of military veterans and their dependents, as it is for all the citizens of South Africa,” Department’s Acting DirectorGeneral Max Ozinsky said on Wednesday.

However, increase in the demand for education support has presented huge financial and administrative challenges, Ozinsky said.

“The challenges are being attended to through consultations with various stakeholders, such as National Treasury, the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and other relevant institutions,” said Ozinsky.

He also called on stakeholders, business, labour and civil society to help by working with the department in ensuring that equality education is provided to military veterans and their dependants.

“This will go a long way in contributing to sustainable, social and economic development of the country, as well as enhancing social cohesion and nation building.”

The department has to date provided support to approximately 5 800 education beneficiaries, to the tune of R142 million against the initial budget of R26.4 million in both basic and tertiary education.

As part of the Military Veterans Benefits Regulations (MVBR), military veterans also have access to critical benefits such as housing, health, burial support, pensions, job creation and placements as well as business support.

-SAnews.gov.za